Sylff News

Professor Daniela Ostatnikova, center, with Sylff Association secretariat.

Professor Daniela Ostatnikova, Vice-Rector for International Relations at Comenius University in Bratislava and chairperson of the Comenius Sylff steering committee, paid a courtesy visit to the Tokyo Foundation on May 18, 2017.

Comenius University joined the new financial scheme in November 2015. The Sylff program at the university is mostly used to support PhD students’ research in foreign countries. Fellowships contribute not only to enriching academic research but also to developing top students into future leaders, Professor Ostatnikova explained.

Internationalization and democratization are still major challenges for Slovakia, almost 30 years after the collapse of the communist regime. By studying in a foreign country, fellows can learn how things are organized and function in a democratic society, equipping them with the capacity to contribute to turning Slovakia into a sustainable democracy.

As the Sylff Association secretariat, the Tokyo Foundation is delighted to learn that the Sylff program plays an important role in Slovakia’s development and democratization. We are grateful to the Comenius Sylff steering committee for actively putting into practice Sylff’s leadership development mission and for using Sylff funds effectively.